GOLF will return to its "elitist origins" if the proposed expensive green fees go into effect at the revamped Port Royal Golf Course early next year.

Kim Swan, Opposition Leader and also the only Bermudian to have played on the European Tour, said he has been angered by how expensive it will be to play Port Royal when the course reopens in January.

And he accused Government of forgetting what a public golf course should be.

He told the Mid-Ocean News this week: "A public golf course paid for with taxpayer dollars must remain affordable ¿ the Port Royal story from 1970 is a success story we must emulate and maintain."

Swan, who won three Bermuda Opens at Port Royal, said: "I am increasingly concerned that (with the rise of fees) public golf will become a thing of the past in Bermuda. Port Royal Golf Course has always been a world-class public course with affordable rates."

Swan said he feared that when it reopens Port Royal will in effect become a semi-private course because of the large increase in not only green fees but also membership.

"Although few would argue that the present day upgrades are necessary, to transform a public facility and then upwardly realign the fee structure will change the course, in effect, to a semi-private facility by virtue of its higher costs."

And although the revamping of the Robert Trent Jones layout is costing over $13 million, Swan said: "Some will argue that the golf should reflect the capital outlay, but I know the spirit that has driven the growth of public golf around the globe. It is the spirit of inclusiveness that has made it possible for a once elitist sport to birth champions from both the working class and the upper class.

"It is important for those entrusted with the oversight and management of Port Royal Golf Course to appreciate that the course was first built and now renovated with public money and that it is common practice to make world class public golf available at affordable rates. To hear now that rates may increase beyond what working men and women can afford is alarming.

"Reports that rates could soar to more than $200 a round will take the cost of golf beyond the pocketbooks of average player. At this rate, golf in Bermuda appears to be moving back to its elitist origins where working men and women will be shut out by economic barriers that public golf courses were meant to break down.

"Port Royal Golf Course has been a great example of what public golf should be."

And he hit out at the PLP for the massive increases.

"The important principle behind it (public golf) is being forgotten under the present PLP administration," added Swan who put his comeback on the Senior Tour on hold after he was named the Opposition Leader.

When the course reopens in January existing members will be asked to pay a one-time initiation fee of $3,000, on top of their yearly subs of $3,500 for a seven-day single membership. Previously the yearly subscription was $2,460, and the increase reflects a 42 percent rise in less than two years.

The green fees for non-members will increase with a single round costing residents $157.

But for tourists, the green fees will be even more ¿ 30 percent more as they will be charged $225 for the privilege of playing a round.

Already there is a movement to protest the big rise in fees with some people trying to organise what may be a boycott of the course.

A number of Port Royal members are organising meetings to see what can be done to stop the massive increases and an email has circulated the golfing fraternity denouncing the increases.

The Royal Gazette reported recently that the email accused the trustees of ignoring the history behind Port Royal and driving Bermudians away from the course.

"The increases are unreasonable, inflationary and gluttonous," said the email.

"Port Royal Golf Course was designated as the last place in Bermuda were a golf course would be built were the common or the working class men and women will have a place to play, while also having another course for golfing visitors.

"It (Port Royal) is a public golf course funded by the taxpayers and the cost of golf to its residents should reflect this, and should remain for the common working class people of this country.

"The trustees' decision will in fact disenfranchise some of its members due to economic policies and the Bermudian membership will decline."

Wendall Brown, chairman of the Board of Trustees, defended the increases telling The Royal Gazette: "The fee we are asking people to pay is a nominal one compared to those at Belmont Hills and Tucker's Point (both private courses). The money that is raised will go to renovating the clubhouse, because of this we feel we are fully justified in asking members to pay a little towards that.

"Government has already spent $13.7 million on upgrading the course, and we don't feel that it is too much to ask that members contribute towards their own club."